Can Osteoporosis Be Reversed? What Seniors Need to Know

The question of "Can osteoporosis be reversed?" is an important one to understand to continue living a full life. Whenever our bodies throw us an unexpected curveball, it's only natural to wonder at its severity and how best to proceed. Fortunately, while osteoporosis can't be fully reversed, there are many ways to slow its progress and defend against its symptoms.

If you're dealing with osteoporosis yourself or know someone who is, it's best to get your facts straight. While osteoporosis is a serious matter, it's also not the end of the world. Read on to find out more about proper treatment and how we assist our seniors with osteoporosis at The Landing of Poughkeepsie.

Can Osteoporosis Be Reversed?

Before tackling an issue, it's always best to learn as much as you can about it. Understanding a problem is the first step to finding and utilizing appropriate solutions, and it also lessens the chances of worsening things through ignorance. While not immediately life-threatening, osteoporosis ought to be taken seriously as failure to do so may result in preventable injury.

In short, osteoporosis is the name for a bone-wasting condition. In medical terms, this means bones become unusually weak and brittle, increasing the likelihood of breaks and fractures. Osteoporosis literally translates to "porous bone", an apt name for a condition caused by the body losing or making too little bone. Sufferers of osteoporosis must be aware of their limitations to avoid damaging themselves by accident.

Depending on the severity of the condition, some previously inconsequential actions can become dangerous. A strong sneeze can break a rib, for example, and tripping on the carpet can easily lead to a broken wrist. Awareness of personal fragility affords the patient the care necessary to take new dangers into account and avoid them where possible.

Reversing Osteoporosis

While reversing osteoporosis isn't possible, its progress can be slowed considerably once diagnosed. The goal is to manage the condition by implementing strategies designed to slow the deterioration of bone density and improve overall skeletal health. Bone is a living tissue, and the mechanisms of its growth and structure are well understood, allowing for preventative and therapeutic measures to be effectively implemented.

Bone health in seniors with osteoporosis depends upon stabilizing their foundation by strengthening existing bone to improve overall quality of life. Fractures and breaks are painful and debilitating, and take a long time to heal. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so taking preventative steps to avoid them altogether is important.

Potential improvement of the condition hinges on a few different factors worth considering. Age and overall health play a large part, as does understanding and adhering to suggested treatments and lifestyle changes. Addressing potential underlying causes, such as medication-induced bone loss and hormonal imbalances, plays an important role, too.

Treatment Options

Treatment for osteoporosis isn't as simple as popping a pill. While there are some effective medications that aid in strengthening bone, they're best taken in conjunction with lifestyle changes and preventative measures. At The Landing of Poughkeepsie we find these strategies to be particularly effective as they allow for improved quality of life while ensuring bone density is at its best.

Medications for Managing Bone Loss

There is a wide range of medications available to help tackle the issue of decreased bone density and strength. Each uses a different approach, but the goal is the same: to bolster general bone resilience. Antiresorptive drugs slow the breakdown of bone as it ages. Some examples include:

• Bisphosphonates: These are commonly prescribed and are proven to bolster bone density by up to 8% over a period of 3 to 5 years.

• Denosumab (Prolia): A monoclonal antibody injected twice a year that inhibits osteoclast activity, reducing reabsorption of bone into the body. Especially useful for people whose bodies don't agree with bisphosphonates.

• Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs): These mimic the protective effect estrogen has often prescribed to postmenopausal women.

Anabolic agents promote bone formation rather than slow its breakdown. These are often used alongside antiresorptive drugs:

• Teriparatide (Forteo): This is a synthetic parathyroid hormone injected daily for around two years, depending on levels of bone porosity. It's capable of increasing bone density significantly, often in the range of 10 to 15%.

• Abaloparatide (Tymlos): Similar to teriparatide, but approved for high-risk patients.

• Romosozumab (Evenity): A monthly injection limited to around a year of use due to cardiovascular concerns. Works to both build bone and reduce reabsorption as one.

Nutritional Support

We are what we eat, and taking care to eat well is more important than ever for osteoporosis patients. Some commonly prescribed supplements for healthy aging include:

• Calcium: Around 1,000 to 1,200 mg daily is critical for bone health. Including more dairy, leafy greens, and fortified foods is important to this end.

• Vitamin D: Also critical for bone health, vitamin D enhances calcium absorption and can be supplemented. Sunlight is also a reliable source and a perfect excuse to go sunbathing!

Preventative Measures

While medical and nutritional support is important, preventative measures ensure trips and falls happen as infrequently as possible:

• Home Safety: Remove all potential tripping hazards, ensure good lighting, and install relevant hardware such as grab bars for increased confidence.

• Assistive Devices: Using a cane or walker reduces the load on weakened bones while helping those with poor balance.

• Limit Alcohol: Reducing alcohol consumption is a good idea as it interferes with bone formation, not to mention balance.

Adhering to these treatment options stands the patient in good stead for improved quality of life and prevents their condition from progressing unchecked.

The Landing of Poughkeepsie

The question of "Can osteoporosis be reversed?" is a common one, and we hope we've shed some light on the topic for you. At The Landing of Poughkeepsie, we have a number of residents who manage their osteoporosis with gusto and enjoy a high standard of living and quality of life every day.

We're proud to offer the best personalized assisted living and memory care available in the Hudson River Valley area.

If you're looking for more senior wellness tips or are interested in our services and amenities, don't hesitate to reach out! We'd love to hear from you.